Complementary feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Context:Complementary feeding practices play an important role in the growth and development of the children.Aims:The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of complementary feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months and its association with various sociodemographic factors.Settings and Design:The study was a community-based, cross-sectional study conducted at field practice area of Urban Health Training Centre and Rural Health Training Centre, Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.Materials and Methods:Mothers of children aged 6–23 months of age interviewed using the infant and young child feeding questionnaire for complimentary feeding indicators, namely, minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD). The sample size drawn was 326 using systematic random sampling with probability proportionate to size.Statistical Analysis Used:Wald's statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression.Results:MDD was adequate in 42.6% children, MMF in 50.9% children, and MAD in 35.6% children. MDD was significantly associated with area of residence, birth order of child, and Standard of living index (SLI); MMF was significantly associated with area of residence, sex of child, and literacy status of mother; MAD was significantly associated with area of residence, sex of child, birth order of child, and SLI.Conclusion:The study revealed that approximately 50% of mothers practiced inadequate complementary feeding. The feeding practices were found to be significantly associated with various sociodemographic factors highlighting the importance of addressing these factors if we aim an improvement in feeding practices.

Understanding the Enablers and Barriers to Appropriate Infants and Young Child Feeding Practices in India: A Systematic Review

“…Studies were included in the review if they meet the following criteria: (i) focused on children under two years of age, (ii) were conducted in India, (iii) analyzed factors associated with IYCF indicators (EIBF; EBF; continued breastfeeding at one year; introduction of solid, semi-solid, or soft foods; minimum dietary diversity (MDD); minimum meal frequency (MMF); minimum acceptable diet (MAD); continued breastfeeding at two years; predominant breastfeeding; and bottle feeding), (iv) were published between 1993 and 2020, (v) were observational studies (qualitative studies, case studies, books, policy briefs, or theses were excluded), (vi) were published in a peer-reviewed journal (non-peer-reviewed research, review, or commentaries were excluded), and (vii) were written in English. Eight WHO/UNICEF IYCF indicators were selected for this review based on the available published literature at the regional and national level of India [ 18 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. These indicators were defined using the WHO/UNICEF definitions for assessing IYCF practices [ 5 ]: EIBF was defined as the proportion of children born in the last 24 months who were put to the breast within one hour of birth.…”

Assessment of the nutritional status of 6–36-month-old infants in Xinjiang and analysis of the influencing factors

“…The qualified rate of minimum dietary diversity (MDD) was defined as follows: Within 24 h, there were 4 or more kinds of complementary foods for 6–23-month-old infants. The types of food were divided into vegetables (fruits), eggs, meat, fish and shrimp, beans and bean products, milk and milk products, and cereals and potatoes 3 . The qualified rate of the minimum meal frequency (MMF) was defined as: the proportion of 6–23-month-old infants who added complementary foods to meet the minimum feeding times during the past 24 h—2 times for 6–8-month-old infants who were breastfed, 3 times for 9–23-month-old infants who were breastfed, 4 times for 6–23-month-old infants who were not breastfed 3 .…”

“…The types of food were divided into vegetables (fruits), eggs, meat, fish and shrimp, beans and bean products, milk and milk products, and cereals and potatoes 3 . The qualified rate of the minimum meal frequency (MMF) was defined as: the proportion of 6–23-month-old infants who added complementary foods to meet the minimum feeding times during the past 24 h—2 times for 6–8-month-old infants who were breastfed, 3 times for 9–23-month-old infants who were breastfed, 4 times for 6–23-month-old infants who were not breastfed 3 . The qualified rate of the minimum acceptable diet (MAD) was defined as follows: the proportion of the children aged 6–23 months who added supplementary food to reach the lowest dietary frequency in the past 24 h 3 .…”

“…The qualified rate of the minimum meal frequency (MMF) was defined as: the proportion of 6–23-month-old infants who added complementary foods to meet the minimum feeding times during the past 24 h—2 times for 6–8-month-old infants who were breastfed, 3 times for 9–23-month-old infants who were breastfed, 4 times for 6–23-month-old infants who were not breastfed 3 . The qualified rate of the minimum acceptable diet (MAD) was defined as follows: the proportion of the children aged 6–23 months who added supplementary food to reach the lowest dietary frequency in the past 24 h 3 . Breastfed infants’ MAD refers to meeting both MDD and MMF, while non-breastfed infants’ MAD refers to receiving at least 2 milk feedings and meeting both MDD (excluding milk) and MMF.…”

<p>Magnitude and Its Predictors of Minimum Dietary Diversity Feeding Practice Among Mothers Having Children Aged 6–23 Months in Goba Town, Southeast Ethiopia, 2018: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study</p>

“…14 Improving nutrition after the age of two years has no equally important impact on the growth and development of children like that of before two years. 15 Feeding a diversified diet was significantly associated with level of education of mothers, [16][17][18][19][20] income, 16,18,21 post-natal care visit, 19,[21][22][23][24][25] age of child, 23,26,27 media exposure, 28,29 birth order, 17,30 and child growth and monitoring follow-up. 23,31 In the study area there was no research conducted on magnitude and predictors of minimum dietary diversity feeding practices.…”